Sunday, January 21, 2007

Wow – it was great to step off the boat and revisit the First World. I completely lost the elastic imprint from my headlamp. Endless fresh water and unlimited electricity, was that real? Did I really sleep in rectangular beds with down comforters? Civility is a pleasant distraction when you live the life of a near barbarian. The recent niceties were highly appreciated and I give thanks to all who gave me a bed, couch, ride, meal. Someone told me that I’m an “advanced beach bum”. Yep, that’s about right. I guess I like that better than “global layabout” or “international ne’er-do-well”.

“Previously on Barraveigh”

I left San Diego Dec 1 of 2005 with Ryan and Colin. They have long since left for new adventures. Leg 1 got me to Panama City. Colin and Ryan both deserve standing ovations for their contributions to the effort.

The gear is expensive, the lifestyle isn’t. Theft is now built into the budget, and when it happens again I’ll try to be philosophical about it.

Leg 2 began 5 days ago when I returned to Barraveigh after 2 months traveling to Europe and the States. My English girlfriend Suzi turned in her police badge a few days ago and will be joining me on the 24th. Together we will provision Barraveigh and sail to Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands, and then make the long crossing to French Polynesia. That could mean 30 days without even seeing land. We’ll end the year either in New Zealand or Australia. How’s that for a reality show!

The Dream

In the 90’s I spent a year backpacking in Europe. That experience was the single most defining event in my life. Then I spent the next 15 years designing my future, so that I could repeat that sojourn on a global level with all my toys included. I created a mantra that I chanted on a daily basis. 4 maxims to live by:1.) Don’t Get Married2.) Don’t Reproduce3.) Don’t Get Injured4.) Don’t Get In Trouble With The Law.

I navigated through those life altering reefs and dodged all those looming icebergs. I MADE IT! I resigned my position, rented my house, sold everything else, and left all that was familiar behind. It was Dec 1, 2005. I was a naïve American thrusting myself upon the world in a campaign of adventure. I had accepted the grandest challenge I could think of: SAILING AROUND THE WORLD. It took me 6 years and I made it half way around (San Diego to Singapore) and then my house burned down. I went back to California for 3 years to rebuild. And now? Now I'm driving an old truck with a camper to the farthest reaches of South America and back. These are my stories . . . .